Canada Express Entry Support: Complete PR Pathway Explained
If you’re planning to move to Canada as a skilled worker, you’ve probably come across the Express Entry system. This is the main pathway Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses to select qualified candidates for permanent residence in Canada.
Express Entry connects Canada’s labour market needs with talented professionals worldwide. It manages applications for three major federal programs:
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) – for foreign professionals with skilled work experience.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – for individuals with skilled work experience in Canada.
Federal Skilled Trades (FST) – for candidates with experience in specific trades.
Through this system, Canada can invite top-scoring candidates to apply for PR (permanent residence).
Why Did Canada Launch Express Entry?
Before 2015, Canada used a “first come, first served” approach, which caused long backlogs. To solve this, IRCC introduced Express Entry in January 2015. The system is points-based and selects candidates based on age, education, work experience, and language ability.
This way, Canada can prioritize candidates who are most likely to succeed in the Canadian job market while speeding up processing times.
How the Express Entry Process Works
Check Eligibility & Create a Profile
You must first qualify under one of the three federal programs. Eligible applicants create an online profile, which enters them into the Express Entry pool.Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
Each profile gets a CRS score out of 1,200 points. Factors include your age, education, skilled work experience, and language test results in English or French.Invitation to Apply (ITA)
IRCC conducts regular Express Entry draws. The highest-scoring candidates receive an ITA for permanent residence. Once invited, you have 60 days to submit your full PR application.
Who Can Apply Under Express Entry?
To qualify, you must meet the requirements of one of these programs:
FSW – at least one year of continuous skilled foreign work experience.
CEC – at least one year of Canadian skilled work experience.
FST – experience in an eligible trade.
You also need to demonstrate language proficiency (English or French) and provide documents such as police certificates and medical exams. Some Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are linked to Express Entry, giving candidates an extra pathway to permanent residence.
Category-Based Draws: New Opportunities in 2025
IRCC now holds category-based draws targeting candidates with specific skills or language abilities. For example:
French-speaking draws (requiring CLB 7 or higher in all skills).
STEM occupation draws (requiring recent work experience in science, tech, engineering, or math).
Healthcare and trade draws for in-demand workers.
These targeted draws often have lower CRS cut-offs, improving the chances for qualified applicants in priority fields.
Who Has the Best Chance of Success?
In 2025, candidates most likely to receive an invitation typically have:
Canadian experience: Skilled work or Canadian education combined with strong language scores (CLB 9+).
In-demand jobs: Healthcare workers, trades, and STEM professionals.
Strong academics & language ability: A bachelor’s degree (or higher) plus high English/French proficiency.
Costs of Applying Through Express Entry
While creating a profile is free, you’ll face some mandatory costs:
Language test: ~$200
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): ~$200+
Medical exam: ~$200+
Police certificates: Varies by country
If invited to apply, you’ll also pay government fees:
Processing fee: $950
Right of permanent residence fee: $575
Spouse: $1,525
Child: $260 per child
Optional: Hiring a regulated immigration consultant or lawyer (fees vary).
Express Entry vs. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
The biggest difference between Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) is the type of eligibility requirements.
Express Entry: To qualify, applicants must have skilled work experience that meets Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) requirements. It’s a federal, points-based system that ranks candidates in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) pool. Without skilled work experience, you cannot enter the Express Entry pool.
PNPs: Each province and territory in Canada has its own nomination program designed to address local labour shortages. Some PNP streams are connected to Express Entry (called enhanced nominations), while others are base PNPs that run outside of Express Entry. The unique advantage of PNPs is that some streams don’t require prior skilled work experience, instead focusing on factors like having a job offer in the province, ties to the community, or in-demand occupations.
Why this matters: If you receive a provincial nomination through an Express Entry-aligned stream, you are awarded 600 additional CRS points. This essentially guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next federal draw, even if your initial CRS score was below the cutoff. For many candidates, this is the most reliable pathway to permanent residency.
In short, Express Entry is more competitive and strictly skill-based, while PNPs provide flexibility and additional pathways, especially for applicants who may not score high enough in the federal pool but are a good fit for a specific province’s needs.
About the Author: Lauren Shannan is a Senior Immigration Consultant with 10 years of experience helping foreign nationals navigate their journey in Canada. With her extensive knowledge of immigration processes and policies, Lauren provides valuable insights to those looking to make Canada their new home.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For personalized advice, please consult with a licensed immigration professional.